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Card review · Travel

Chase Sapphire Preferred Review

Chase · $95 annual fee

The Sapphire Preferred is a long-running flexible travel card with a $95 fee, a 2026 refresh, and a headline limited-time bonus. Here is who it suits and what to watch.

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See Chase Sapphire Preferred

This is an independent, informational review and not financial advice. The Sapphire Preferred earns flexible points on travel and dining and is best known for redemption flexibility, but the value you get depends heavily on how you redeem.

The card recently received a 2026 refresh, and figures like the welcome bonus are time-limited. Card terms change frequently, so verify the current fee, bonus, earning structure, and benefits directly with Chase before applying.

Key terms (verify at the issuer)

Annual fee
$95
Rewards
Points on travel & dining; 2026 refresh adds 3x gas/EV & vacation rentals
Intro APR
none
Regular APR
variable — verify at issuer
Welcome bonus
Limited-time 100,000 points after $5,000 spend in 3 months (verify it's still live)

Key terms and the 2026 refresh

The Chase Sapphire Preferred carries a $95 annual fee and earns points on travel and dining, with a 2026 refresh to its earning rates and benefits. Because the refresh may have changed specifics, confirm the updated category rates and perks on Chase's official page.

The card advertises a limited-time welcome bonus of 100,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases, which you should confirm is still live before applying. It also includes a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, which can offset the annual fee for travelers who would buy that membership anyway.

Pros

The biggest strengths are flexibility and the welcome offer. Points can be redeemed for travel through Chase and potentially transferred to partners, which is where some travelers find strong value, and the advertised limited-time 100,000-point bonus is generous if you can meet the $5,000 spend.

The $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit is a tangible benefit that can cover most or all of the annual fee for eligible travelers. Earning is focused on travel and dining, common spending categories for frequent travelers. As always, treat any point valuation as an assumption and confirm current perks at Chase.

Cons

The card has a $95 annual fee, so it only makes sense if your usage clearly exceeds that cost. If you rarely travel or dine out, or you would not use the credits, a no-fee card may serve you better.

Approval is also subject to Chase's 5/24 rule, meaning you may be declined if you have opened five or more cards across issuers in the past 24 months. And because the headline value comes from points, the real return depends entirely on your redemptions, which is an assumption, not a guarantee. Meeting the $5,000 spend to earn the bonus may also push some applicants to overspend.

Who it's for, and how we earn

The Sapphire Preferred fits travelers who spend on travel and dining, want flexible points rather than fixed cash back, and are comfortable optimizing redemptions to extract value above the $95 fee. It is less suited to infrequent travelers or those who prefer simplicity, who might prefer a flat-rate miles card or a $0-fee cash back card.

We are an independent site and may earn an affiliate commission if you apply through our links, with no effect on your terms or our assessment. We rank by published terms and fit, not payout. Verify the live bonus, fee, refreshed earning, and 5/24 policy at Chase.

Check current Chase Sapphire Preferred terms

Frequently asked questions

Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred's $95 fee worth it?
It can be, if you use the benefits. The clearest offset is the $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, which alone can exceed the $95 fee if you would have paid for that membership, though it applies roughly once every few years. Beyond that, value depends on how much you spend in bonus categories and how you redeem points, which is an assumption rather than a guarantee. If you travel rarely, a no-fee card may suit you better. Confirm current benefits at Chase. This is not financial advice.
What is the 5/24 rule and does it affect this card?
Yes, the 5/24 rule applies to the Sapphire Preferred. It is Chase's unofficial policy of generally declining applicants who have opened five or more credit cards across all issuers in the past 24 months. If you have opened several cards recently, you may not be approved regardless of your credit score. Because this policy is not formally published and can be applied at Chase's discretion, check your recent account history and confirm current approval practices with Chase before applying.
Is the 100,000-point bonus still available?
It is described as a limited-time offer, so it may not always be live. Welcome bonuses change and expire, and the spend requirement (advertised at $5,000) and reward amount should be re-verified on Chase's official page at the moment you apply. Never assume a past or advertised offer is still current. Also remember that the value of those points depends on how you redeem them, which is an assumption. This review is informational and not financial advice.